Don't gloss over Anderson's opinions
Like many Chattanoogans, I was sad to learn of Lee Anderson's passing. I grew up reading Anderson's editorials. Although I often disagreed with him, I respected his thoughtful conviction.
Still, I was disappointed to see that Friday's front page article about Anderson did not mention his vocal opposition to the civil rights movement. Anderson was an outspoken opponent of school integration, and his editorials in the 1950s and '60s emphatically defended segregationist policies.
He described sit-in protesters as "race-mixing promoters," and he blamed them for inciting the violence that would potentially be used against them.
We should honor Anderson for his many accomplishments, and we should mourn his death.
Nobody should be defined by their mistakes. But nobody benefits when newspapers publish hagiography, either. It is inexcusable to gloss over this essential chapter of Chattanooga history.
Michael Schulson
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Propaganda out; bring comics back
I feel like a victim of a theft. To my surprise last week, when I opened my TFP, I was flabbergasted to find a page of the comics was missing. I do not recall any notice this page was going to be eliminated. I was hospitalized for most of April and did not receive the paper then, if there was a prior notice.
Most days, the best and most enjoyable part of the paper other than Sports is the comics section.
Maybe the staff should re-examine this decision and find room in another section. Like getting rid of some of the religious propaganda and bring the humor back.
Rob Robkin, Ooltewah
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Free Press editorial unfair to Hillary
Sunday's Free Press editorial disputing and discounting Hillary's political experience conveniently neglected to mention her 12 years as first lady of Arkansas and her eight years as first lady of the United States.
In Arkansas she chaired the Rural Health Advisory, the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee all while introducing the Arkansas Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth. She was the governor's top adviser.
While first lady of the United States, Hillary was Bill's closest adviser while famously championing the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Hillary Clinton has thought about, worked on and brought about important political changes her entire adult life.
To deny that lifelong experience is blatantly partisan and actually weakens the "anti-Hillary" argument among thoughtful voters.
Mike Hill, Cohutta, Ga.
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TFP cartoonist crosses decency lines
Just when I thought Chattanooga Times cartoonist Clay Bennett could not be any more over the top, his cartoon last Friday exceeded even his limits of decency.
First of all, I do love animals, and I doubt that I could knowingly ever kill one of God's creatures. That being said, to try to make your point about living in harmony with nature while using the events of the Disney World tragedy as a backdrop is just plain sick.
I wonder what the child's devastated parents would think if they saw that cartoon? Of course this comes from the man who thinks it OK to lampoon a judge he did not like on the day he was buried or is cool to compare the George W. Bush library to the Holocaust museum.
Evidently, the only people who are not offended by Mr. Bennett are the Times Free Press editors who allow him to offend their readers and embarrass our city.
John Clark